BOBCAT CATCH-UP: Brent Swaggert
7/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
In some ways, this is a normal summer for Brent Swaggert. A little fishing, some golf, and a lot of working out in preparation for the upcoming football season.
But in one important way, this summer is like no other. While he has two more weeks terrorizing the fish and fairways in his native Minnesota, he flies to San Francisco on July 29 to begin his dream. Swaggert will be a rookie offensive lineman with the San Francisco 49ers, an undrafted free agent trying to earn a spot on an NFL roster.
Swaggert can't wait for his chance. "It's a little different (this summer)," the Buffalo, Minn., native says. "There's more uncertainty than I've had the last four years, since my freshman year."
The 49ers have Swaggert tagged as a left tackle, a position for which he is small by NFL standards. But he says he's gained strength this summer using a workout program designed for him by the Niners' strength staff. "There are some small differences (from the weight work he did at MSU), but the principles are the same," he said. "It's really what you want to make out of it, and I feel like I've made some improvement."
One of the most popular Bobcats in recent memory, Swaggert is tapping into the Bobcat tradition with the Niners. Current San Francisco head coach Dennis Erickson is, like Swaggert, a former All-Big Sky Bobcat. More importantly, Swaggert says, there is some familiarity with his position coach, Gregg Smith.
"Coach Smith has worked with Coach Mac (MSU offensive line coach Jason McEndoo), so we use a lot of the same techniques I learned at MSU," he said. "There are differences, but I understand the background of what they're teaching."
Montana ties have also helped Swaggert adapt to life in the Bay area. Fellow rookie Greg Carothers from the University of Washington is a Helena Capital grad, and former Grizzly offensive lineman Scott Gragg is a mainstay of the Niners' line. "I've met Carothers before, he was really the only one I knew when I got here," Swaggert said. "Now I feel like I know a lot of people.
"(Gragg) is around all the time, he's a great guy, real helpful. I hate to say too many nice things about a Grizzly," he says with a laugh, "but he's a really good guy. He's one of the team leaders, he's been around the block and knows a lot. He'll help with technique or with any other questions."
Swaggert and the rest of the 49ers will stay in hotels during camp, which he characterizes as "a lot like college, except there are four games mixed in." Swaggert has played primarily left tackle during 49er mini-camps, but hopes to display his versatility during training camp. "There will be a few less guys than during mini-camp, so I hope I get some time at other places (guard and center). Being able to play some other spots will help, hopefully."
But in one important way, this summer is like no other. While he has two more weeks terrorizing the fish and fairways in his native Minnesota, he flies to San Francisco on July 29 to begin his dream. Swaggert will be a rookie offensive lineman with the San Francisco 49ers, an undrafted free agent trying to earn a spot on an NFL roster.
Swaggert can't wait for his chance. "It's a little different (this summer)," the Buffalo, Minn., native says. "There's more uncertainty than I've had the last four years, since my freshman year."
The 49ers have Swaggert tagged as a left tackle, a position for which he is small by NFL standards. But he says he's gained strength this summer using a workout program designed for him by the Niners' strength staff. "There are some small differences (from the weight work he did at MSU), but the principles are the same," he said. "It's really what you want to make out of it, and I feel like I've made some improvement."
One of the most popular Bobcats in recent memory, Swaggert is tapping into the Bobcat tradition with the Niners. Current San Francisco head coach Dennis Erickson is, like Swaggert, a former All-Big Sky Bobcat. More importantly, Swaggert says, there is some familiarity with his position coach, Gregg Smith.
"Coach Smith has worked with Coach Mac (MSU offensive line coach Jason McEndoo), so we use a lot of the same techniques I learned at MSU," he said. "There are differences, but I understand the background of what they're teaching."
Montana ties have also helped Swaggert adapt to life in the Bay area. Fellow rookie Greg Carothers from the University of Washington is a Helena Capital grad, and former Grizzly offensive lineman Scott Gragg is a mainstay of the Niners' line. "I've met Carothers before, he was really the only one I knew when I got here," Swaggert said. "Now I feel like I know a lot of people.
"(Gragg) is around all the time, he's a great guy, real helpful. I hate to say too many nice things about a Grizzly," he says with a laugh, "but he's a really good guy. He's one of the team leaders, he's been around the block and knows a lot. He'll help with technique or with any other questions."
Swaggert and the rest of the 49ers will stay in hotels during camp, which he characterizes as "a lot like college, except there are four games mixed in." Swaggert has played primarily left tackle during 49er mini-camps, but hopes to display his versatility during training camp. "There will be a few less guys than during mini-camp, so I hope I get some time at other places (guard and center). Being able to play some other spots will help, hopefully."
Wednesday, August 19
Wednesday, June 10
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
